site.btaChoreographer Dimitar Manov Dies at 83, President Extends Condolences to His Family, Colleagues

Bulgarian choreographer Dimitar Manov passed away on Friday at the age of 83.

President Rumen Radev expressed his condolences to Manov’s family and colleagues. "A dedicated teacher and artist with a remarkable gift has left us," Radev was quoted as saying by the head of State’s Press Secretariat. "As a choreographer with a patriotic spirit and a rich professional legacy, Dimitar Manov inspired generations of young talents and instilled in them the fundamental mission of preserving and passing on Bulgaria’s folk heritage," he added.

Manov was born on August 22, 1941, in the village of Sovolyano in Kyustendil (Southwestern Bulgaria). He graduated from the State School of Choreography (now known as the National School of Dance Art) in 1960. Manov then joined the Filip Kutev state folk ensemble, where he worked until 1977.

From 1972 to 1978, Manov taught Bulgarian dance at the State School of Choreography. In 1977, he was appointed chief ballet master of the Construction Corps ensemble.

His body of work includes a number of pieces that serve as exemplars of the dances of the Shopluk region. Notable works include Severnyashki Tants (Northern Dance), Varnenski Tantsi (Varna Dances), and Dobrudzhanski Mazhki Tants (Dobrudzha Men's Dance), among others.